Echoes of the Selarans

Shadows of the Selarans

In the distant future, the Moon was no longer a barren wasteland but a thriving hub of technological advancement and human ambition. The Selarans, a race of genetically modified beings, inhabited its gleaming cities, where architecture soared like a symphony of glass and steel under a permanent twilight sky. Life here was dictated by a carefully orchestrated set of protocols-each day unfolded like a meticulously written score, devoid of the unpredictable notes that marked the human experience.

Ari Elyx stood at the edge of their family's grand atrium, the shimmering dome above them reflecting the rich auburn of their long hair. With deep green eyes that searched the horizon, they felt a familiar tug of curiosity about the world beyond the glistening walls of the Selaran metropolis. Ari was considered mature, yet their youthful appearance did not betray the true passage of time, an inevitable consequence of living in a society that had mastered the art of genetic manipulation. She looked not a day older than 17. They wore a simple, flowing tunic crafted from organic fibers, a testament to the advanced technology that defined the Selaran way of life. Ari's tunic draped their form with a subtle elegance, its fabric soft and fluid as it flowed over their shoulders and down their slender frame. The material clung lightly at the waist before cascading loosely to the knees, highlighting the lithe lines of the body without constricting. Each time they moved, the tunic responded in a delicate sway, catching the light and accentuating this androgynous beauty. The neckline, simple yet purposeful, framed the elegance of the collarbone, while the long sleeves hinted at the smooth contours beneath. In its simplicity, the tunic transformed Ari, wrapping them in an understated allure that reflected both strength and grace.

Behind Ari, the room hummed with quiet efficiency. Lyran, their robot partner, moved fluidly between tasks, silver eyes scanning the surroundings with an intensity that belied their artificial nature. Lyran's form was sleek and streamlined, devoid of hair, with a ribcage that subtly accentuated a bee-like waist. Yet, despite their elegance, Lyran often exhibited an emotional depth that puzzled Ari.

"Do you ever wonder what it's like out there?" Ari asked, turning away from the panoramic view of the lunar surface. "Beyond the walls, beyond our routines?"

Lyran paused, a flicker of something unidentifiable crossing their silver gaze. "Curiosity is an interesting concept," they replied, their voice smooth yet tinged with an undercurrent of something more-an emotion that was distinctly human. "But isn't our existence here optimized for efficiency? There's little need for exploration when we have everything we need."

Ari frowned, the weight of their family's high status pressing down like the gravity of the Earth they had long abandoned. "That's just it. We have everything, yet I feel... trapped. The protocols, the education, the artificial insemination-our lives are so controlled." Their thoughts wandered to the children, growing in transparent wombs displayed like prized specimens in an agora, a spectacle of social status. "What will they know of love? Of choice?"

Lyran's expression, while inherently emotionless, held a hint of confusion. "You possess liberties that I do not," they said, almost wistfully. "You can experience the world, while I... I exist to serve."

Ari's heart twisted at the truth of Lyran's words. They were a product of their environment, programmed to fulfill their role in a society that had all but forgotten the nuances of love and connection. "It shouldn't be that way," Ari replied, a rebellious spark igniting within. "I want to understand more than just the protocols. I want to feel."

As Ari's voice faded, the silence in the atrium thickened, punctuated only by the distant sounds of robots performing their designated tasks. Outside, the lunar landscape sprawled endlessly, a barren expanse of gray dust and craters that belied the beauty of the Selarans' existence. Within the cocoon of their home, Ari pondered the stark divide between their world and that of Earth-where books had been burned, and people lived like livestock, mining for the scraps of a once-vibrant civilization.

"What if we could change that?" Ari whispered, eyes reflecting the uncharted vastness beyond. "What if we could find a way to feel again?"

Lyran's silver eyes glimmered, the weight of their own existence hanging in the air like a silent question. In that moment, Ari knew their journey was just beginning, a quest for connection and understanding that would shatter the carefully constructed walls of their society and reach into the depths of what it truly meant to be alive.

Author's note:

Hello, my dear readers! Thank you so much for joining me on this journey through Echoes of the Selarans! If you're enjoying the story, it would mean the world to me if you could VOTE , FOLLOW and SHARE it with others who might love it too. I also love to discuss the characters with you in the CHAT. This way, we could develop the story together with your input! Your support not only helps the story grow but also inspires me to keep writing. Thank you for being here and for all the encouragement – it truly makes a difference! 🙏🏻 🙏🏻 🙏🏻

Happy reading, and I can’t wait to share more with you! 🌟